Extensible wrench set with magnetized heads



Aug. 14,1956 5. J. JENKINS 2,758,494

EXTENSIBLE WRENCH SET WITH MAGNETIZED HEADS Filed May 31, 1955 23 22 z5l Li /6 23 t 24 y; m

INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 United States Patent EXTENSTBLE WRENCH SET WITHMAGNE'I'IZED HEAD'S Billy J. Jenkins, Birmingham, Ala.

Application May 31, 1955, Serial No. 512,202

1 Claim. (Cl. 81-71) The present invention relates to wrenches, and moreparticularly to wrenches of the internal or Allen type provided withmeans to extend the length of the wrench.

The primaiy object of the invention is to provide an Allen wrench with ahead for receiving the shank of the next larger wrench size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrench of the classdescribed in which the head is formed with a polygonal outer surface topermit the turning of the wrench by means of other wrenches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wrench of the classdescribed in which magnetic means are used to maintain the wrenches inengagement with each other while in use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification when read in light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the invention, shown partly in sectionfor purposes of clarity.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-section taken on line 33 of Figure 2,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the wrench elements.

Now referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference'numeralsindicate like parts throughout the several figures, the referencenumeral indicates, generally, an Allen wrench having a polygonal shank11. An enlarged head 12 is formed on one end of the shank 11 and has apolygonal outer surface 13. A socket 14 having a polygonal inner surface15 is formed in the head 12 and is adapted to fit the shank (not shown)of the next larger wrench (not shown).

A second polygonal wrench shank 16 has a head 17 positioned on one endof the shank 16 and it likewise is formed with an outer polygonalsurface 18. A socket 19 is formed in the head 17 with an inner polygonalsurface 20. The socket 19 is adapted to receive the shank 11 of thewrench 10.

A polygonal shank 21 is formed with a head 22 on one end thereof withthe outer surface of the head 22 having a polygonal surface 23. A socket24 extends into the head 22 and has an internal polygonal surface 25formed therein. The socket 24 is adapted to receive the polygonal shank16 therein.

Each of the heads 12, 17 and 22 is magnetized, so that the shanks ll, 16and 21 will be magnetically held in the heads after they are inserted inthe socket.

In the use and operation of the invention, when an Allen head screw mustbe turned and the screw is remote from the closest point accessible withthe normal tools, the wrenches forming the portions of the kit making upapplicants invention are assembled by inserting the shank 11 into thehead 17 and the shank 16 into the head 22 to form an Allen wrench havinga length substantially greater than normal. Obviously, the Wrenches canbe extended in length as far as necessary to accomplish the desiredtask. The outer polygonal surfaces 13, 18 and 23 provide a means wherebyend wrenches, pliers, socket wrenches or box wrenches may be used toturn the Allen wrench after it has been seated in the head of the Allenscrew. It should be understood, of course, that various extensions couldbe made following the teachings of this invention wherein the socketscontained within the heads would be the same size as the shanks, topermit extending the wrenchs effective length without decreasing thesize of the available Allen wrench end.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it shouldbe understood that various modifications and structural adaptations maybe resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A wrench of the type having a plurality of diiferent size members eachhaving a polygonal shaft and a head, and each head being integrallyconnected to one end of a shaft, and having a polygonal outer surface,each head being provided with a polygonal internal socket extending intosaid head from the side opposite its shaft, each head being magnetizedto hold said wrench in engagement with a metallic body, said membersbeing arranged in end to end relation with each shaft being receivablein the magnetized head of the next smaller member and maintained thereinby the magnetic attraction of said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,619,744 McCloskey Mar. l, 1927 2,457,451 Domack Dec. 28, 19482,632,350 Kaster Mar. 24, 1953 2,660,080 De Kam Nov. 24, 1953

